The Potter's House

Key verse
John 3:8 - The wind blows wherever it please.  You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Jeremiah
Thoughts on chapter 18, about God as a potter.
God's unchanging nature does not mean that he cannot change his plans.  His love for all mankind means that he will change his plans for us if we act in accordance to his will.  If we go outside his will, then he will guide us back or we will suffer the consequences.  Now those who believe in such doctrines as predestination and fate may see this as God's plan never changes, but what he says he will do and what he ends up doing were all a part of the final scheme anyway.  Regardless, we know that if we ask forgiveness, God will grant it to us.

James
According to a footnote in my Bible, the priests had to wash their hands and feet before approaching God in the tabernacle.  James exclamation "wash your hands, you sinners" therefore makes sense, as we should cleanse ourselves, and make our hearts right with God as we come to him.

Ecclesiastes
If you are struggling to make sense of Ecclesiastes, consider reading "Living on the Ragged Edge" by Charles Swindoll.   I have just started reading this book and it is very useful.  It explains how Solomon, having the money and freedom to do as he pleased (as he was the king), was able to experience everything under the sun, just as we would like to do sometime.  Wouldn't you appreciate the opportunity to break free from societal pressures and just do what you want, without a care in the world?  That's what Solomon did, and he provided us with his journal.  But what he found out was that a relationship lived "horizontally", without a focus on God, was worthless.  We have to be right with God, and do our best to live "vertically", for life to make any sense and to get any sort of lasting satisfaction.